“I don’t need supplements; I prefer to get it from food” Ever heard anyone say that? Maybe you say it yourself! I hear it every day. I’m sorry to say, I just don’t buy it! That’s right: for optimal health, I think we need specific supplements. There are six main reasons why, which I’ll [...]

The MTHFR gene mutation gets a lot of bad press. Its role in cardiovascular disease susceptibility is undisputed, and a long, long list of chronic diseases is related to its unlucky presence in your gene pool. I’m afraid this post will be yet further bad press for the not-so-innocent MTHFR. But this time it's [...]

Epigenetics! Everyone’s talking about the interaction of our genes with the environment, and how it affects our health. The power to change the future – and the present, for that matter! – is in our hands. Epigenetics and pain go together just like epigenetics and all other health issues. We know genes influence our [...]

Does nutrition have anything to do with mental health? Or is it in your genes? Yes to both. Are anxiety and MTHFR linked? Let me explain. Nutrition is critical for best physical health. More and more people consider seeing a clinical nutritionist to help their body feel at its best. But as for mental [...]

For best fertility and a healthy pregnancy we know we need to be getting enough folate, and for at least 3 months before conception. But how many women are doing this? Only 20% are taking a preconception supplement containing folic acid at the time of falling pregnant. Coeliac disease? You’re even more at risk. [...]

A (Greatly Truncated) Response to the Question of Whether Probiotics are Overrated Probiotics: myth or miracle? It’s the kind of grab-your-attention, oversimplified headline we are used to in the media. But, I was grateful to be asked for my opinion on an article of this name: Probiotics: myth or miracle? So here is the quick [...]

As a naturopath, you can’t help but see some patterns that come up over and over again. When it comes to cow’s milk protein (CMP) intolerance, we see links to kids’ health problems like recurrent ear infections, tonsillitis, eczema and late bedwetting. Another clear link is between cow's milk protein (CMP) intolerance and constipation. [...]

Is the alkaline diet really ideal for your health? There is a lot of talk about the balance between acidity and alkalinity for good health. Websites abound on this topic, and many natural health practitioners are emphatic about it. “Alkalinity” is often equated with good health, and “acidity” something to avoid. The world of chronic [...]

The state of the body's acidity vs alkalinity both reflects and affects health. The alkaline diet is a topic I summarised in my last post. But what about the specific scenarios of chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis? Does acidity or alkalinity have anything to do with chronic pain? The short answer here [...]